Comparative Analysis on Major Growth Responses and Characteristics of Shoot and Root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer with Six Different Years Old

Abstract

: This study was carried out to have the basic and applied information to develop the cultivation methods and models and to increase the productivity of high-quality ginseng. Plant height was dramatically increased from one year old to four years old, and then it was grown up very slowly. Stem length was shown similar tendency as the plant height did. Its range were from 9.4 ㎝ in one year old to about 42.4 ㎝ in four year-old ginseng. The leaf area was clearly increased until four years old, 10.1 ㎝ 2 in one year old to 204.9 ㎝ 2 in four years old, while it was slightly increased after four years old. Root length was continuously increased from one year old until four years old, and then it was grown up very slowly. Tap root length which was measured was appeared about 8 ㎝ from three years old to six years old, showing not much different among the year-olds. The root diameter was continuously increased from one year old to six year-old ginseng, about 2.9 ㎜ and about 19 ㎜, respectively. The moisture content was higher on the shoot than that on the root. It was slightly decreased as they were getting old. In shoot part, the rate of leaves and stems based on dry weight was about 1 : 1. In the root, the dry weight of tap root was heavier than that of lateral root. The dry weight of shoot was decreased after four years old, while it of the root was continuously increased until six years old, resulting the production of ginseng root. Based on the results of this study, growth characteristics of shoot and root of ginseng were dramatically increased from one year old to four years old and then their growths were appeared different between shoot and root, showing not much growing in shoot and keep growing in root.